Switch signaling means



March 27, 1951 cu 2,546,610

SWITCH SIGNALING MEANS Filed June 19, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l mml l i li.

In 6 s INVENTQR g fdaom/z 5 6M M ATTORN y March 27, 1951 PACURAR 2,546,610

SWITCH SIGNALING MEANS Filed June 19, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 "(vim-0R (fA/a/wl J ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 27, 1951 UNITED STATES, 'E ATENT OFFICE Application June 19, 1948, Serial No. 33,957 In Canada September 17 1947 1 Claim.

The invention relates to improvements in a switch signalling means, as described in the present specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings that form a part of the same.

The invention consists essentially of the novel features of construction as pointed out broadly and specifically in the claims for novelty following a description containing an explanation in detail of acceptable forms of the invention.

The objects of the invention are to devise a switch signalling means which will indicate forward or rearward motion of a mechanism; to indicate clockwise or counter clock-wise motion of a rotating mechanism; to furnish a switch sig nalling means for vehicles which will operate a go and stop device; to construct a switch signalling means particularly adapted to be mounted on a bicycle for operating a tail light on the same; to make a switch signalling device for a bicycle which will register go upon forward motion thereof and in which braking action on the same will change the signal t stop; to lessen the danger of accidents by providing vehicles with an efiicient signalling means; to offer a switch signalling means simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture; to plan a switch signalling means sufiiciently sensitive to indicate forward motion of a bicycle or braking action on the latter and generally'to provide a switch signalling means which will be durable, dependable and efiicient for its purpose.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation of a bicycle showing the switch mechanism for the signalling means mounted adjacent to the rear sprocket of same.

Figure 2 is an oblique perspective view showing the position of the switch and bracket with respect to the rear sprocket of a bicycle.

Figure 3 is an angularly inclined rear view of the signalling means.

Figure 4 is a vertical view of the battery case for the device.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken through the switch.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the switch as taken on the line 66 in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a schematic side elevation of a bicycle showing the switch mechanism for the signalling means incorporated in the crank housing of same.

Figure 8 is a front view of the switch mechanism incorporated in the crank housing of a bicycle.

ZOO-52) Figure 9 is a view taken on the line 8--9 in Figure 8 showing the switch mechanism assembled in the crank housing.

Figure 10 is a sectional view as taken on the line Hlle in Figure 9.

Like numerals of reference indicate correspending parts in the various figures.

The invention as hereinafter described specifically is based on its application to a bicycle and may be suitably mounted with respect to the rear sprocket or may be incorporated in the crank housing. However it will be understood that with slight modifications this switch signailing means may be adapted for use on any type of vehicle or for indicating the direction of rotation of machinery on other mechanism of any particular type.

Referring to the drawings, the switch signalling means consists of the switch or switch mechanism as indicated by the numeral l5 which forms a connection between the signalling lights is and the batteries H.

The switch mechanism [5 is adapted to be suitably mounted with respect to the rear sprocket N3 of a bicycle. The support member l9 for the switch mechanism is suitably mounted on the end of the axle 2!! which supports the rear wheel of the bicycle. The support member l9, in this instance, is shaped from a flat piece of metal or other suitable material and extends rearward and downward from the axle 28. The notch 2! in the outer edge of the support member I9 is adapted to be engaged by the end of the bar 22 which is suitably and fixedly secured to the frame of the bicycle, thus retaining this support member in a predetermined position with respect to the rear sprocket IS.

The bracket 23 is pivotally mounted on the support member i9 and the tension spring 24 is suitably connected to the former and to the end of this support member. The switch housing 25 is movably secured to the support member I!) by means of the bracket 23 and the tension spring 24 is adapted to determine the movement of the former with respect to this support member.

The contact points or members 26 and 21 are suitably located on the inner wall of the switch housing 25 and extend outward therethrough. The insulating washers 28 and the insulating sleeve 29 prevent contact of the screws 26 and 21 with the switch housing 25 and the same are secured substantially in position by the nuts 35.

The switch shaft 3| extends longitudinally through the switch housing 25 and is rotatably supported therein by the roller bearings 32 and 33. The sleeve 34 is fixedly secured on the shaft 3! and bears against the inner side of the bearing 32. The switch arm or switching member 35 and the washer 35 are rotatabl mounted on the shaft 3! and the compression spring 3? exerts pressure between the inner side of the bearing 33 and this washer. In this respect, while the switch arm 35 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 3| the pressure of the spring 3! bearing on the washer 35 and switch arm 35 is adapted to turn the latter until the same strikes either of the contact points 26 or 21 thus illuminating the signalling light 38 or 39. When the switch arm 35 strikes either the contact point 25 or 2? it remains in contact with the same until the shaft 3i is turned in the opposite direction. In this instance, the contact is broken with one contact point and the switch arm 35 turns until it strikes the other of the contact points.

The shaft 3i has the friction wheel ii fixedly secured on the inner end thereof and adapted to engage the ring C l which is suitably mounted adjacent to the rear sprocket 18. The periphery of the friction wheel 48 is suitably ridged or knurled; while the ring M is of any suitable material such as rubber or the like which will facilitate the turnirr of this friction wheel.

The batteries ll are accommodated in a suitable casing :2 and may be mounted in any convenient place on the frame of the bicycle.

The signalling lights l6 consist of a casing 63 having two compartments 44 nd 45. The lamps or bulbs 33 and 39 are accommodated in the compartments and 45, respectively. A green translucent cover 48 is suitably secured over the lamp 38 in compartment 4-; while the red translucent cover 49 is secured over the lamp 33 in compartment 35. The complete light casing 43 is suitably located on the rear portion of the bicycle and may be mounted on the mud guard or any other conveni nt place.

The switch mechanism 5 5, signalling means It and the batteries I l are suitably connected to one another by conductors. In this instance, the

switch mechanism I 5 and the batteries I! are grounded on the frame of the bicycle. The conductors 5i! and 5| form a connection between the batteries i! and the lamps 38 and 39, respectively. The lamp 38, in turn, is connected to the contact point 26 on the switch mechanism l5 by the conductor 52; while the conductor 53 forms a connection between the lamp 39 and the contact point 21.

In the modification shown in Figures '7, 8, 9 and the switch mechanism 54 is accommodated in the crank housing 55. The movable means 58 is mounted on the crank axle 51 of the bicycle. This movable means consists of a pair of arcuately shaped bands 58 and 59 which are connected to one another by the hinge portions 6i: and BI, respectively. The bands 58 and 59 each have a pair of lugs, 52 and 53 extending inward therefrom. The rollers 64 are rotatably mounted between each pair of these lugs and the former are adapted to contact the crank axle 51. In this respect the arcuately shaped bands 58 and 59 are placed around the crank axle 5'! so that each of the rollers rest on the latter. The movable means is mounted on a recessed portion of the crank axle 57 in such a manner that the rollers 64 will be guided laterally with respect to the crank housing 55.

The flanges 55 and 66 are formed on the free ends of the bands 58 and 59 and are adapted to be connected together by means of the tension spring 51. This spring permits the movable means to turn on the crank axle I and yet provides sufficient friction with respect to the same to create a tendency to turn with this crank axle.

The contact points 58 and G9 are secured in the crank housing 55 in a similar manner to that in which the contact points 25 and 2'! are mounted in the switch housing 25. A forward or backward motion of the crank axle 5? is adapted to bring either of the flanges or 65 in contact with the contact point 68 or 89, respectively.

The generator in is adapted to be operated by the wheel or the of a bicycle and suitably connected to the switch mechanism 54 and the signalling means ll so as to operate the latter in a similar manner to that of the signalling lights l6 as hereinbefore described.

In the operation of the invention the friction wheel 46 is rotated by the ring 4! which is fixedly mounted with respect to the rear sprocket 18. This friction wheel, in turn, rotates the shaft 3i in the switch mechanism i 5. The switch arm 35 which is mounted on this shaft is adapted to turn with the same due to friction caused by the compression spring 37 until the switch arm strikes either the contact point 25 or El. After striking either of these contact points the switch arm 35 bears on the same and at the same time permits continuous rotation of the shaft 3| therein.

As the rear sprocket 18 turns the rear wheel in a forward direction the switch arm 35 bears against the contact point 26 in the switch mechanism i5 thus illuminating the lamp 38 which is concealed by the green translucent cover it. As the brakes are applied the rear sprocket l8 turns backward until the braking mechanism in the hub of the rear wheel is actuated. During the reverse movement of this rear sprocket ring 4i turns the friction wheel 49 and shaft 3| in an opposite direction to that of the foregoing thus turning the switch arm 35 until it strikes the contact point 27 and illuminating the lamp 39 which is concealed by the red translucent cover 4a. In this respect it will be noted that the switch arm 35 forms a comiection with either or" the contact points or 2'? in such a manner that if the green signal is showing it will be shut oif before the red signal appears or vice versa. In the modification shown in Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10 the operation of the switch mechanism is similar to that as hereinbefore described, with the principal difference being that the switch is incorporated in the crank housing.

It will be seen from the foregoing that a simple and efficient switch signalling means has been provided that may be used on bicycles. other vehicles, machinery mechanism and the like in various capacities and for numerous purposes.

What I claim is:

In a switch signalling means, a switch accommodated in a crank housing and being mounted on a crank axle extending through the housing, said switch comprising a pair of arcuate shaped bands connected together by hinged portions, a pair of spaced apart lugs formed on each of said bands and extending inward therefrom, rollers rotatably mounted between each of said pair of lugs and contacting the crank axle, an outwardly turned flange formed at the free end of each of said bands, a tension spring located between the said flanges of said bands and secured thereto, connecting the said flanges together in spaced apart relation, the said tension spring adapting said bands to be tensioned towards the crank maintaining the said rollers in direct rustic a1 engagement with the crank axle and adapting the bands to turn on the crank axle while providing sufiicient friction with respect to the to tend to turn therewith, and a pair of spaeed apart centact points fixedly seen the inside face of the crank housing, one of whieh being contacted by the said flange on one of said bands and the other of said contact points being contacted by the flange on the other of the bands, upon rearward or forward motion respectively of the aforesaid crank axle.

GEORGE PACURAR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS N umber Number 

